Museum of Northern Arizona 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff, AZ
The 19th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente Festival is an unparalleled opportunity to experience the history and culture of Mexican, Mexican American, and LatinX communities in Northern Arizona. Also known as the Day of the Dead, this event is a celebration of life, music, dance, food and heartfelt remembrances.
Throughout the weekend visitors can enjoy cultural dances and music, browse the intricately decorated Ofrendas that line the courtyard, and gain insights during presentations by cultural experts.
On Saturday evening the courtyard stays open into the evening so the full impact of the Ofrendas can be enjoyed, along with sweet treats and hot drinks.
Don’t miss this fall festival. Invite your friends and family, from this world and the next!
Veterans honored for their service by visitors who also enjoyed a mild Summer day featuring mariachi music, folklorico performance, dancing, Mexican food and more.
FLAGSTAFF —Flagstaff Nuestras Raíceshonored the region’s Hispanic roots by celebrating the seventh annual “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklorico Festival” on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church south of downtown Flagstaff
The free event drew more than 250 people with the entertainment stage featuring El Mariachi Tapatio de Tucson, dance music by La Banda Las Catrinas from Tucson, Ballet Folklorico de Colores de Flagstaff.
The highlight of the event included the presentation of certificates honoring the service of all veterans who attended the celebration.
What is a Tardeada? It’s a vibrant afternoon festival and social dance celebrating Flagstaff’s Hispanic culture and community history. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors was the premier sponsor, supported by the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC).
During the event, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces thanked all sponsors, individuals and organizations that contributed to the successful event (see full list below).
Following the Tardeada, a Mass, with a musical performance, was held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church on Sunday, Aug. 21, followed by a menudo/posole breakfast.
The church is a significant historic site because it was the pride and centerpiece of the Hispanic community when it was built in the late 1920s by Flagstaff Hispanic pioneer families, who had strong bonds to the church.
While we can’t enjoy a traditional Celebraciones de la Gente, members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces have been busy with a number of virtual Día de los Muertos projects.
Members visited the Museum of Northern Arizona on Oct. 7 to live stream and set up the community altar during the presentation “Day of the Dead Decoded: Ofrendas 101.”
Click here or visit facebook.com/musnaz/live_videos to see by presentation by Nuestras President Lydia Anaya and Treasurer Becca DeLap providing viewers the basics of setting up their own altars/ofrendas at home.
Click on photo above to see slideshow from the 2019 Summertime Tardeada at www.AmigosNAZ.com
FLAGSTAFF — Temperatures in the mid-80s could not deter community members and supporters of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces as the region celebrated the return the Summertime Tardeada Festival at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Flagstaff.
More than 200 people attended the celebration, which included music by community favorite Mariachi Sol Azteca, along with newcomer to the festival, Mariachi Tradicíon de México, both from Tucson.
Mariachi Sol Azteca has now performed in all five of the Summertime Tardeadas in Flagstaff, and is a fan favorite at the annual Celebraciones de la Gente at the Museum of Northern Arizona.
The Summertime Tardeada took last year off due to the unexpected death of 2018 Nuestras Raíces President Cristina Anaya and long-time Nuestras Raíces supporter and World War II veteran Tomas Vega.
In memory of Cristina Anaya, the mariachi group performed one of her favorite songs, a performance that deeply touched her family.
The celebration also included the annual recognition and group photo of veterans, who were all awarded with certificates in honor of their service. Nearly a dozen family and vendor booths surrounded the newly upgraded parking lot in an event that also featured traditional Mexican food, a raffle and a spirited performance by Ballet Folkorico de Colores — Flagstaff.
Veterans were also invited to have their individual portrait taken at the event so they can be included in future recognition banners created by Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces. Veterans and family members are also encouraged to send photos of local service members via email at president@flagstaffnuestrasraices.org
THANK YOU SPONSORS
Coconino County Supervisors: Liz Archuleta,
District 2 Art Babbott,
District 1 Jim Parks, District 4
Arizona Public Service (APS)
AZ Team Flag / Domino’s Pizza
Coconino Community College ALAS Club
Dennis Chavez
Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC)
Greenlaw Barber Shop (Richard Coroma)
La Fonda Mexican Restaurant
Lamp Post Hair Salon
Pablo Lopez III & Eusebio Lopez
Lozano Enterprizes Inc.
Mike and Rhonda’s — The Place (Missy)
Military Order of the Purple Heart Dale Crick Chapter 793
Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the Coconino County Administration Building, second floor conference room, 219 E. Cherry Ave., Flagstaff, Arizona. Visit www.flagstaffnuestrasraices.org or send an email to contact@flagstaffnuestrasraices.org for more information.
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Flagstaff Nuestras Raícesse reunirá a las 5:30 pm 12 de febrero en el Edificio de Administración del Condado de Coconino, segundo piso de la sala de conferencias, 219 E. Cherry Ave., Flagstaff, Arizona. Visita www.flagstaffnuestrasraices.org o contact@flagstaffnuestrasraices.org para más información.
It was a weekend filled with music, entertainment, and, most importantly, reverence for those who have gone before us as Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Museum of Northern Arizona partnered for the 11th annual Celebraciones de la Gente at the museum held from Oct. 24 through 26, 2014 The event included the return of the In Tlanextli Tlacopan Aztec Fire Dancers, Mariachi Sol Azteca de Tucson, Ballet Folklórico de Colores de Flagstaff, an artists mercado, lectures, food and activities for young people.
While a strong breeze prevented the traditional procession and burning of the offerings to the dearly departed, it was not enough to dampen the spirits at the Snowdrift Art Space which presented its annual Día de los Muertos Celebration on Nov. 1, 2014 in Winslow. The event included performers from Winslow Ballet Folklorico, a sugar-skull workshop courtesy of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, plenty of food and drink and, of course, the display of ofrendas / altars honoring departed loved ones.
Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will present an “Art Class @ Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church & Cultural Center” from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3 at 224 S. Kendrick St., Flagstaff.
Artist Vangie Rodriguez will lead you in painting sugar skulls on canvas for your wall or Día de Los Muertos altars.
Remembering Our Culture & History 